My Top College Essentials

When brainstorming items to include in my college essentials post, I had tons. So much so that I decided it would be best if I split them up into two separate posts— one for the dorm room, and one for everything else. My dorm essentials went up last Saturday but today I’m sharing everything else from closet must-haves, to umbrellas, to my everyday backpack.

Throughout this video, I’m sharing all of my college essentials. These items were things that made all the difference my freshman year. For college content every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday be sure to hit the subscribe button.

• Phone wallet/lanyard:  I was actually someone who never used a phone wallet (the little pocket that sticks to the back of your phone that holds your cards), simply because I have a LifeProof which is already pretty bulky. Instead, I grabbed a lanyard so that I could keep my little zippered coin pouch, my Kent State ID, and pepper spray around my neck. I would recommend grabbing one or the other prior to move-in day as you will be needing your student ID for practically everything you do. These are both easy ways to make sure your ID is “on you” at all times.
• Macbook: Depending on what your major is, you may need a different computer; however, if you are going into the fashion school at Kent, you will be needing a Mac. I’ve had mine since my freshman year of high school and I love it. I recommend the Pro over the Air!
• Adobe suite: This essential is specific to the Kent State fashion program but if you are taking Fashion Technology you will be needing the Adobe Suite. Do not pay full price for this; there is a student discount available that significantly reduces the price. Regardless, I used Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Adobe platforms so much throughout my freshman year and recommend playing around with the programs a bit beforehand so you’re familiar with them.
• Magazines: Another Kent State fashion program essential… if you are taking Fashion Visuals bring that stash of magazines that’s been in your room since freshman year of high school. You will go through them like crazy as almost every assignment requires you to pull pages from a magazine.
• Big puffer coat: Obviously not every school requires a parka but Kent definitely does as do most schools in the North/Mid-West. It ended up getting colder much quicker than I expected. Grab yours ahead of time. Mine is from Eddie Bauer and I love it + wore the absolute heck out of it.
• Reusable water bottle: Do your part and save the ~environment~. There’s not a whole lot of room in your fridge anyways to be keeping a supply of plastic water bottles. A Brita and ice cube trays were our best friends for filling up our reusable water bottles.
• Planner: If you’re going into college and have yet to start using a planner, girl what are you doing?! I eat, sleep, breathe my planner and it’s truly what helped me balance 18 credit hours + 30 hours work weeks so well. I swear by the Happy planner from Create 365. I use the size large with the horizontal layout.
• A good backpack: I’m sure none of you were considering going to college without a backpack but I figured I would throw my recommendation into the mix. I’ve had the North Face Borealis since my freshman year of high schol and love it. It’s super spacious and very durable which is a must. I will admit though, this backpack is pretty heavy even when empty.
• Airpods: Not necessarily Airpods, but some form of headphones is essential for college. Not only so you can listen to music while walking to class and while working out but becuase it’s the respectful thing to do when living with a roommate. They don’t want to hear your Netflix marathon when they’re trying to go to sleep! I got AirPods for Christmas and they changed the game for me.
• Comfortable walking shoes: My feet suffered hardcore first semester and I learned the hard way that cute heels aren’t going to cut it when walking 5+ miles a day to class. I swear by Off The Beaten Track shoes and have a dozen pairs from them now. They are the only shoes I will wear if I have more than one class that day.
• Going out shoes: You are also going to need a good pair of going out shoes. They don’t need to be expensive, in fact, they need to be a shoe you’re okay with getting destroyed. Frat basements are nasty so a versatile shoe that can pair with everything/is comfortable/can be thrown out at the end of the school year are a must. I will be doing a whole separate post on closet essentials for college, don’t worry!
• Crossbody purse: I carried a crossbody purse with me almost every time I left my dorm room (besides going to class). Because I carry my vlog camera everywhere, I needed a place to keep it along with my wallet, AirPods, phone, etc. Just something small will do and it’s great for when you’re out and about with your friends. Olivia and Emma loved the small purse backpacks if you’d rather go that route!
• Journal: I can’t imagine freshman year without my journal. Freshman year is a really vulnerable time for many and there are so many mixed emotions that come along with it. If you’re someone who likes to journal, bring yours to college. You won’t regret it.
• Camera:  You don’t need a camera for college but if you have one, I would recommend bringing it. I obviously had a few because of blogging but my roommates brought theirs as well for fun photoshoots together. Polaroids are also a great decor piece and fun for parties!
• Fake eyelashes: Falsies are my secret weapon. Something about them gives me newfound confidence so inevitably I wore them almost every weekend. I love the Ardell Whispies #105. Fake eyelashes are also great to have on hand for date parties, formals, and other special occasions. On the topic of beauty supplies, you’re also going to need a crap ton of dry shampoo if you’re anything like me lol.
• Jewelry organizer: I forgot to mention this in my dorm essentials so I figured I would throw it into this post. I had this hanging jewelry organizer from Amazon with tons of different slots. This was the easiest way to store my jewelry and all of my roommates had one! They are super affordable too!
• Umbrella: Forgot to mention this one in my video but holy cow is it a must. I swear it rained every single Tuesday I had class. I got a little umbrella to keep in the side of my backpack at all times; however, I recommend a big clear bubble umbrella if you’re going to school somewhere windy.
• Uber + Venmo: Moving onto a few more random things; have these apps downloaded prior to college. You will be using both of them a ton throughout the weekends to get to and from places (especially when it gets cold out) and to exchange the same $3 every Saturday, lol.
• A friend with a car: I am not saying be friends with someone only becuase they have a car (how awful would that be omg), but I am saying to find out which of your friends has theirs on campus. It brings such peace of mind knowing you have someone to run you to the grocery store, post office, etc if need be!
• An open mind: Last but not least, go into college with an open mind. These are supposed to be the “best four years of your life”. You have the chance to start fresh and be whoever you want to be— use that to your advantage! Don’t forget, it’s okay to go through a few growing pains in the process; you will be just fine, I promise!

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Phew, that was a lot! I think I covered just about everything in today’s post. If I think of anything else, I will come back and add it to the mix. As I mentioned earlier, I will be doing a whole separate college warrobe essentials video so keep your eyes out for that. If there are any other back to school requests you may have, leave them below and I will be sure to add them to the list. I hope you found today’s post helpful.

With love, McKenz

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Related Post: College Dorm Room Essentials
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